Western Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio rutulus

The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with yellow and black stripes. It flutters gracefully around gardens and parks, bringing joy to everyone who sees it.

Hábitat: Urban areas

Aspecto

The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a large, brightly colored butterfly with striking yellow wings marked by bold black tiger-like stripes. Its hindwings feature distinctive tails, along with areas of blue and orange spots near these tails, differentiating it from similar species.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenLepidopteraFamiliaPapilionidaeGéneroPapilio

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Males sometimes gather in muddy puddles to drink water and minerals!

The chrysalis can be green or brown to blend perfectly with its surroundings!

Their caterpillars shed their skin four times before becoming a chrysalis!

These butterflies help flowers make seeds by carrying pollen from plant to plant!

Habilidades especiales

Western Tiger Swallowtail can drink flower nectar because it has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them refuel.

Western Tiger Swallowtail has special sensors on its feet that help them taste leaves and flowers before laying eggs or feeding.

Western Tiger Swallowtail has eye-catching tails on its hindwings that can trick predators into attacking the wrong end, helping them escape.

Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars can scare away predators by flashing a stinky, orange, Y-shaped organ.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 70-100 mm
Tamaño: 35-55 mm
Esperanza de vida: 10-20 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 20 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves from host trees and shrubs.

Diferencias por edad: Larvae eat leaves, while adults sip nectar from various flowering plants.

Alimentos principales

Flower nectar
Willow leaves
Aspen leaves
Cottonwood leaves
Cherry tree leaves

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Adult butterflies can be prey for various birds.

depends on

Shining Willow

Salix lucida

Caterpillars feed on the leaves of willow trees.

pollinates

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Adults help pollinate flowers while sipping nectar.

Rasgos

A rayas

Marcado con bandas paralelas o líneas de color.

Colorido

Colorido describe a organismos u objetos que exhiben una amplia variedad de colores brillantes y distintivos.

Herbívoro

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en material vegetal.

Imán para polinizadores

Describe plantas que son particularmente atractivas y beneficiosas para una amplia variedad de organismos polinizadores.

Longevo

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos con una esperanza de vida excepcionalmente larga en comparación con otros de su especie.

Diurno

Los animales diurnos están activos principalmente durante el día y suelen descansar o dormir por la noche.

Migratorio

Los animales migratorios emprenden movimientos estacionales de una región a otra, típicamente en respuesta a cambios en el clima o la disponibilidad de alimentos.

Adaptado a la ciudad

Esta característica de hábitat indica especies que pueden coexistir con los humanos en entornos urbanos y suburbanos, utilizando estructuras artificiales y espacios verdes.